Trump's Rhetoric Renews Debate In Guam: Is Being 'Tip Of The Spear' Worth It?

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The tiny U.S. territory of Guam came under the international spotlight after North Korea said Wednesday that it's studying whether to launch a missile test toward the island. President Trump responded by escalating the rhetoric.

"Let's see what he does with Guam," Trump said of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un from his golf club in Bedminster, N.J. "If he does something in Guam, it will be an event the likes of which nobody has seen before what will happen in North Korea."

The president spoke with Guam Gov. Eddie Baza Calvo on Saturday to reassure him and residents here. The call happened as some Guamanians worried aloud that the president's harsh words are exposing their island home to unnecessary danger.

It's a tropical paradise with white sand beaches and stunning sunsets, but this American territory, since 1898, was fought over for centuries for a different reason.

"Guam is the largest island between Hawaii and the Philippines, and it has a natural deep seawater port," says Robert Underwood, former Guam delegate to the U.S. Congress and current president at the University of Guam. Guam now hosts major American military might like a bomber fleet and a missile defense system.

"For the United States, it's the place from which you can project power into Asia in an unfettered way," Underwood says.

The U.S. military owns about a third of the land here and has both an Air Force and naval base on Guam. But because of its key strategic role in the Pacific, Guam is also a target for North Korea.

"We're too close for comfort," says Francesca Ballendorf, a longtime Guamanian. She says she would like see the president's tough talk dial down.

"It is scary because I lived through the Second World War, and I certainly don't want to see another one," she says.

During that war, Japan occupied Guam until U.S. forces helped liberate it. Guam is called the "tip of the spear" for that reason. But tenser times like this one throw residents into a familiar debate. Is being the tip of the spear really worth it?

"When President Trump says, 'Go ahead and do what you're gonna do on Guam and see what happens subsequently,' it causes you to think, 'Well, would he say that if Anchorage [in Alaska] had that same threat? If Kim Jong Un said he would hit Anchorage, would he say, "Go ahead hit Anchorage and see what happens?" ' " Underwood said.

Guamanians are American citizens by birth but not allowed to vote in the American presidential election. Guam elects a delegate to the U.S. House, but that delegate isn't allowed to vote on a bill's final passage.

And yet the islnd often exposed to threats coming at America.

"How do people really see Guam in the context of the U.S. family? Are we just like cannon fodder, are we just extras, are we just not part of the equation?"

It's an existential question for this tiny territory currently caught between President Trump and North Korea.

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Join us on Saturday, March 3, at Maceli's (1031 New Hampshire St). Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.

Sky Smeed is a well-known local Americana singer-songwriter who has often been compared to Neil Young and Gram Parsons. Colin Halliburton, who often performs under the musical moniker The Roseline, describes his music as "alt-country bummer music, with a hint of hope." Accompanied by her 1920s tenor banjo, Kelly Hunt’s songs meld traditions of folk, blues, classic country, and old-time music for a sound that is all her own.

Tickets are $10 at the door and advance tickets are available for $10.50 at macelis.com. The musicians are generously donating their time and talent to the concert, and proceeds will benefit KPR. Beverages will be available for purchase at the event.

Description: Experience a rare journey through Celtic music in the hands of world-renowned piper Fred Morrison. In Kansas City for one evening only, Mr. Morrison, a native of West Scotland, possesses a repertoire rooted in the music of his father's native South Uist, in the outer Hebrides. Although his first-love instrument remains the great Highland bagpipes, over the years his mastery has expanded to encompass whistles, Scottish smallpipes and reelpipes, and Irish Uilleann pipes. All of this music is expertly woven into a musical adventure that reaches back centuries and forges links to Celtic cousins in Brittany and northwest Spain. Fred is joined by members of Kansas City's own award-winning St. Andrew Pipes & Drums for an unforgettable evening of music. Limited tickets are available so purchase in advance to assure your seat. Tickets may be available at the door. Submitted by: Zach Cochran Kansas City St. Andrew Pipes & Drums

Description: KU Natural History Museum & Free State Brewing Co., A Science on Tap Event: Early Life Experiences, Trauma, and Hope With Dr. Jackie Counts, Director of KU’s Center for Public Partnerships & Research Science on Tap Wednesday, February 21 7:30pm Free State Brewing Company Early life experiences may have long-lasting effects on individuals’ relationships and health. Dr. Jackie Counts, Director of KU’s Center for Public Partnerships & Research will lead a discussion about the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study. You will have an opportunity to learn your own ACE score and come away with tools to promote hope and resilience. More information at biodiversity.ku.edu. Submitted by: KU Biodiversity KU Natural History Museum